Manhunt continues for Eagar suspect in shootout

by Jim Walsh - Aug. 27, 2012 06:23 PMThe Republic | azcentral.com

Up to 20 law enforcement officers, including a dog-search team, continued their search Monday near Roosevelt Lake for a man who led authorities on a chase, then exchanged gunfire with them this weekend.

The search for Gabriel "Gaby" Jaramillo, 57, was joined at times by an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter unit.

Between 10 and 20 people, mostly from the Gila County Sheriff's Office and DPS, scoured near the lake for Jaramillo, who fled from authorities in a stolen SUV belonging to a 47-year-old Eagar man who remains missing.

The lake is in the Tonto National Forest northeast of the Valley, a roughly 2-hour drive from central Phoenix.

There has been no sighting of Jaramillo, whom authorities described as armed and dangerous, since the shootout with Gila County Sheriff's deputies Saturday around Indian Point, north of Roosevelt Lake and south of Forest Road 60. Authorities said Jaramillo bailed from a 2006 white Toyota Tundra, after it became disabled.

Authorities found tracks that they believe are linked to Jaramillo and are planning to search the area on Tuesday.

"After two or three days you're really pushing it," said Lt. Mike Johnson of the Gila County Sheriff's Office.

There has been no sighting of Jaramillo despite an intensive manhunt in the area, parts of which are steep and rugged, typical of the desert landscape, Sgt. Keith Thompson said.

Eagar police are still investigating possible connections between Jaramillo and the owner of the Tundra, Steve Long, who has been missing since Aug. 21.

Mushroom hunters Friday discovered a body in Apache County, authorities said, but a medical examiner has not yet identified it.

People at a marina at the opposite side of the lake remained vigilant. A picture of Jaramillo was on the counter of the marina store. It warned people to be wary of Jaramillo. Boaters are being told not to pick up any one up on the shore. Instead, call authorities. But the marina manager wondered how long a person could last in the area.

"This country is very rugged," said Clark Wood, manager of Roosevelt Lake Marina. "For this guy to stay out a significant amount of time, it would take a significant amount of survival skills and a lot of luck."